HealingandHealth.org

Online

Body Fat Calculator

In addition to determining your body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio, finding out your percent body fat is another good indicator of your health, and is a useful tool to track your progress in attaining ideal weight when done periodically. Effective, healthy weight loss is not only a function of pounds shed (which only tells part of the health story), but also the amount of fat that is lost.

The Body Fat Calculator on this page uses the U.S. Navy Circumference Method whereby three or four body circumference measurements fed into a calculator determines the percentage your body is comprised of fat. According to a study by the Naval Health Research Center in San Diego, Calif., the measurement of circumferences can be more precise than skinfold measurements and easier to do.

To find your body fat percentage:

Use a flexible tape measure and enter the following data into the calculator form below:

The following table shows body fat ranges and their respective categories (adapted from the American Council on Exercise):

Please bear in mind that not all fat is bad; we do need an adequate amount for important functions such as to provide a safety cushion for the body's organs, to help regulate body temperature and to serve as a source of stored energy for the body. It is when we have too little or too much fat that we run the risk of potential health problems. The key is to work towards an optimum, sensible range, e.g., not too much and not too little, but just right.

Please note that the health and wellness information presented on these pages is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Reader assumes all responsibility as to how he or she applies the information.

FDA requires the following disclaimer: "The health and wellness statements made on this site have not been evaluated by the FDA. Foods/supplements mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease."